The Mysterious Case of the Gouehout

HEFJHNRWAIKIFJFNLIDJNHFILJHJOIRJGREOPIGEAJD
 okay here we go.

---

The Doctor was alone in the TARDIS yet again. After a little it of contemplation, he pressed a few buttons on the control panel. It started to whirr and chug, making the trip a little bumpy. The computer on the control panel was making a blip on the screen, in some unknown area. He set the co-ordinates anyway. After that he pressed another button, putting up the shields on the TARDIS. After fillding around with more control, the TARDIS took off, throwing The Doctor into a seat behind him. Soon there was an almost crashing noise and then peace. 

He slowly opened the door of the TARDIS and found himself in a Clock Tower. There seemed to be only one other person, and he seemed panicked and worried, pacing back and forth, murmuring to himself. After some observing, he stepped out and closed the door of the TARDIS.

No, no, nononononono, NO! How could this be happening?! This was the worst thing that could happen! How could he be so... so.. STUPID?! The man paced around the room in a panic, his hands upon his head almost pulling his hair out. It was the Happy Mask Salesman, although not so happy right now. He was swearing to himself under his breath as he circled the interior of the clock tower, his feet feeling heavier with each step he took. He kept asking himself...

That horrible child...

That theif...

How could he have let that happen...

How....

crunch!

The man shot up with a jolt as he heard the sudden sound. What was that, he thought to himself? Eh, must've just been a guay rummaging around. He relaxed himself against the pack and started resting again, soon forgetting about the noise he had heard the moment before.

crunch!

Oh, that darn bird must be at it again, huh? He sighed, deciding that this wasn't the best place to have a rest. It'll fly away sooner or later, he figured. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted with another...

CRUNCH!!!

That damn bird! It was really beginning to get on his nerves now! He straightened up and picked a stick up to throw and startle the horrible beast when a pebble bounced off the back of his head.

"Aw, it didn't do anything!" It was.. a voice! It had a childlike sound to it.

"Hm?" The Salesman turned around to face the origin of the voice, when his vision was obscured by a foreign object. It was getting bigger... and bigger... like it was in slow motion... Hold on, is that a rock-

WHACK!!! RIGHT in the kisser! The childish voice giggled in response as he emerged from his hiding place, with two fairies trailing behind him. Oh, that little brat... the man thought as he fell over, feeling dizzy. The last thing he saw before blacking out was the child hopping over to dig in his bag.

The Happy Mask Salesman shook his head and decided to look through his bag one more time, checking it from top to bottom, every nook and cranny, every pocket. But with no luck. The mask he had kept from the world had been taken. This was his worst nightmare come true. He grabbed his head again and began to flail about in a panic, pacing around yet again as he was sweating. But then suddenly... a wooshing sound! 

"Huh?? What is that? What's going on- AH!" Suddenly a police box was in the room with him! It definitely took him by surprise, even more so when a man stepped out of it.

A small rift opened up in Termina and Alexi came out. "So this is the place Europa told me to go." She said, surveying the scenery. She was in Clock Town, but with the carnival drawing near, they didn't notice her appearing out of thin air. She started walking, not exactly knowing what she was looking for, yet. She was just hoping she could run into someone that knew what was going on.

Mariana hobbled into Clock Town. She sat on a bench, resting her body. It took a lot to get to Termina; she probably wouldn't survive getting out. It was now or never, and she hoped it was now.

"Oh, hello!" The Doctor chirped to the distressed salesman. He quickly noticed the bruise and nosebleed on him. "Oh dear, are you alright?" He pulled out the Sonic Screwdriver, and pushed a button, making the blue end glow and make a buzzing noise. "Hmm... Obvious trauma to the face, nothing too serious... Perhaps some kind of fracture.... Did someone throw a rock at your face by chance? You alright?"

"F@#$ OFF!!!!"  Eclipse shrieked as she tried to get away from this...this...stalker who was apparently trying to pull some fur out of her tail.

Matthew clasped his hands.  "Oh come on!  Please?!  I just need a little sample!  It's for scientific research!"

"Does it look like I give a F@#$ about your damn research, buddy?"  Eclipse asked.  This guy was going to drive her off the edge.

"It's for science!  SCIENCE!!"  He then grabbed her tail and yanked it.

A deep lion-like growl came out of her throat, a vein throbbed in her forehead.  She quickly turned around, pulling her tail out of the crazy's hands and grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up two feet off the ground.  "YOU ASKED FOR IT!!!!"  BAM!!!  A powerful punch to the face sent Matthew flying into the doors of the clock tower giving off a loud THUD upon impact.

Matthew felt dizzy and looked a little dazed.  But in a split second he shook his head to snap himself back into reality and climbed back onto his feet.  "Amazing!  Such strength from one punch!"  He reached into his pocket and took out a pen and notebook.  "This is going straight into the journal!"  He said with glee.  "Oh if only I had some kind of device that could measure the power of her punch!"

Eclipse was taken aback.  "The F@#$?  HOW CAN THIS F@#$ER RECOVER SO FAST?!"

"When it comes to research, my dear feline humanoid, I must go all out!"

"...Your research is going to get you killed one day, you know that?"

Matthew laughed.  "Haha!  It happens!"

Flare appeared at Matthew's side, arms crossed.  "And you wonder why Anton was in a panic about letting you go off on your own."

"Oh he's just a loyal friend!  He shouldn't worry about me!"

Flare sighed and disappeared, retreating back into her Tamer's soul.

--

"So this is Clock Town."  Brent seemingly said to himself as he set foot into the village.

"It looks like everyone is getting ready for a carnival."  Aisha's voice spoke in his head.

Brent put his hand to his chin.  "Hm.  Indeed."

His spiritual companion appeared by his side and perched on his shoulder, wings tucked in like a bird's.  "Well, I guess we should continue then?"

"Sure.  But my feet ache from all the walking.  Can we take a rest?"

"Ok.  But don't fall asleep on me."

Brent chuckled.  "No promises."  He noticed Mariana sitting alone on a bench.  Figuring she could use some company he walked over.  "Do you mind if I sit here, sister?"  He asked with a smile.  The wandering priest sat down next to Mariana with a sigh.  Aisha looked over at the woman and tilted her head to one side.

A few minutes passed when Brent suddenly looked from side to side, over his shoulder, and then at Mariana.  He looked away and pulled out a bottle of scotch from his sleeve, he uncapped it, took a sip from it, recapped it, then quickly hid it away.  He stared at the sky and pretended that didn't just happen.

Alright, what the hell just happened? Who was this strange, chipper person that seemingly appeared out of nowhere? Had he any idea of the situation that was going on right now? What was that strange device he held, and why did he shine in right in the Happy Mask Salesman's face? So many questions, so many thoughts rushing through the salesman's head. He continued to flail about, his masks flailing and clattering together is he swayed to and fro. His head hurt even more.

"Huh?! Who are you?! How did you get here??!! What are you doing here??!?!? Ohhh, don't tell me you're in on it with the terrible little thief!" He groaned. It was until...

"AAIIIEEE!!!" The man jumped at the sound of pounding on the door of the tower. He growled. "Those kids are always playing pranks around the festival time... ugghhh"

He buried his face in his hands. All the stress and confusion escalating to the point where it was too much for the poor guy and his face instantly contorted into raging anger. His head suddenly whipped around, facing The Doctor's direction as his hands rapidly rubbed together. A feeling of suspicion overwhelming his fear.

"Where is it, hm? Where is my mask?" He began to step towards The Doctor. "Don't tell me you don't know. I know you have something to do with its theft! TELL ME!! WHERE IS THAT MASK?!?!?!!" The man made a grab for Doctor timey wimey man and began relentlessly shaking him in rage. He needs to be calmed down, and soon.

Mariana scooted over to allow more room for Brent to sit. "Go ahead, father." She said. It was clear that she was tired. She saw him taking a sip from his flask but said nothing. She was tempted to ask him for a sip but she had her own. She looked at Aisha."Interesting creature." She said. "Why are you here? I wasn't aware other members of the Church would be here. Naturally, I came of my own volition." She wasn't sure how she was going to explain why she was there to him. She wasn't very sure if she wanted to.



Alexi heard the commotion outside the clock tower doors, and went to investigate. Of course, she was too late to the party and saw Matthew writing something down and Eclipse looking stunned. "Hey, what's going on here?" She asked, rushing up to the two. "You're going to get caught by the guards if you keep fighting!" She continued.

The Doctor shouted as his shoulders got grabbed. "No no sir, I'm here to help you! Just like how you travel across lands for masks, I travel through time and space for people to help! Tell me what's wrong, I'm here to help you!"

“Sorry, I’m not a member of your church.  …Or any church for that matter.  I am just a traveling priest.  I’m sure you’ve heard stories about this priest who has been kicked out of many churches just for having different views.”  Brent leaned forward, propping himself up by resting his elbows on his knees.  He rested his chin on his clasped hands.  “Oh, excuse my rudeness.  My name is Brent this is Aisha.”

“Are you here alone?”  Aisha asked, looking at Mariana.

--

“This asshole won’t leave me alone!  And he had the nerve to yank my tail!”  Eclipse said, her tail flicking in anger.
“I already told you it’s for my research!  For science!”  Matthew said, standing up.

Flare appeared at his side.  “You have a huge bruise on your back.”

“Really?  How big is it?”

“The size of your hand when you spread out your fingers.”

“Amazing!”  Matthew said as he jotted down another note.

“…By the way your nose is bruised and bleeding.”

Matthew shrugged.  “It happens.”  He looked up from his journal and let out a long gasp when he saw Alexi.  “Oh my god!  An angel!”  He rushed up to her.  “Please!  Let me have a feather from your wings!  Oh!  And a lock of your hair!  Please!  It’s for science!”

“You’re getting blood all over your shirt.”  Flare said.

Link stumbled in the darkness oh the forest under the Clock Tower. He wasn't used to being in this cursed form... this Deku Scrub or whatever. This little fairy started following him around and in the midst of the madness, he managed  to make his way into Clock Tower, seeing the tall man and the panicked salesman.

"I know you aren't." Mariana said. "I just wasn't expecting someone holy to be here." She continued. "...I actually haven't. Not that I really care if you were kicked out or not, unless you did something unspeakable." She looked at Aisha. "I'm Mariana. Yes, I am here alone." She shifted uncomfortably. It clearly looked like she was hiding something. "Anyway, I'm tired. I should find a place I can rest for a few minutes..." She continued.



"I think you need medical attention first." Alexi said. "Also, back off my hair, I mean it. I won't allow anyone to cut it before it's time to be cut." She tapped her bare foot impatiently. "And if you try to cut it then we're going to have an even bigger problem." She turned to Eclipse. "My name's Alexi, what's yours?" She asked.

The Salesman growled in frustration as the Doctor was jibber jabbering. He was talking so fast, it made his headache worse! He didn't care what the Gallifreyan had to say, he just wanted his mask back! Wait, hold on. How did he know that he traveled the lands in search of different kinds of masks? Well... he's said that he's a time traveller, but this didn't make things better for the Doctor, as the Salesman's grip tightened on the Doctor's shirt and his glaring intensified, cracking an insane grin.

"So you've been watching me haven't you? Watching and waiting to strike. I know you have it... So why don't you stop lying and give it to me right now..."

After a good while of glaring the Doctor right in the eye, he slowly moved his face closer to inspect the man's face like a creeper. He dropped the Doctor and balled his hands into tight fists, getting ready to bash him in the face or something. But... didn't the other mention that... he helps people? The Salesman suddenly let his arms go limp and his face changed into something that resembled a frantic look yet again, but more defeated than before. His feeling of anger and suspicion morphing into stress and desperation.

"I... I need it back... the mask. Or else something terrible will happen! I need help. Ohhh someone help me, anyone! You'll help me, right? HELP ME!" He flailed around and began shaking the doctor yet again, not in anger, but pleading him to assist him. 

It was then the arrival of Deku Link distracted him.

Out on the shores of Great Bay, there was some sort of confrontation going on between the Gerudo pirates, and a youth that appeared to be within the age group of Link. However, the confrontation seemed to be against the pirates as several pirates lay KO'd in the sands next to a hoarde of (not so unfortunate) Leavers that had been slain in the mix.

"Listen kid, just give us what we want and we'll just be on our way." The captain of the assault demanded.

"And if I don't? What will you do, try to rip it from my neck again?" The youth said flinging back his fluffy looking red hair in a flamboyant manner. "By the looks of it, you're just beggars wanting to be choosers." He added in a cocky tone. "Just get out of my sight before you end up like those weird things that came from the sands."

The pirates, in response to being scoffed at, ran the rest of their squad to shore in another attempt to steal a valuable item from the red haired youth.

"Well." The youth said. "I guess pirates are just as stupid as most bandits." He mumbled letting them get close before emitting a black aura that soon burst outwards in a shock wave that knocked the pirates back and KOing several.

The conflict raged on for for roughly two hours before the pirates gave up and tried to quickly flee to their boats and sail away. The youth however, sunk one boat with several KO'd pirates on it sending them to the like-likes at the bottom of the ocean.

"Good. Now I may get back to enjoying the brisk air of this bay." The red haired child said making his way back to a fold-up chair under one of the palm trees.

Aisha tilted her head to one side.  “But aren’t you already resting on this bench?”

“Hold on Aisha.”  Brent said, sitting up.  He turned his head to Mariana.  “I feel like there’s something you’re not telling us.”  He started to grow suspicious.  Why would a woman her age travel so far alone?  Clearly this woman was up to something and Brent needed to know what.  He stared straight into her eyes.  “Well?  I’m waiting for an answer.”
 
--

Eclipse folded her arms.  “I’m Eclipse.  Pull on my tail and I’ll snap your wings like a twig.”

Matthew pulled out a handkerchief and put it up to his nose.  “The name is Matthew!  This is Flare!  It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Flare, who was sitting on Matthew’s shoulder looked at Alexi and nodded. “‘Sup?”


“Alexi, can I at least have a feather from your wings?  It’s for science!”  Matthew said with a smile.

“Sorry about him,” Flare started.  “He acts like this all the time.  You’re going to have to get used to him.”

Eclipse pointed her finger right in Matthew’s face.  “I swear, if you pull on my tail again you’re going to have more than just a couple of bruises and a nosebleed.”

“Can I at least have a clump of fur from your tail?”  The scientist pleaded.

“PISS OFF!!!!!”

"I need to sleep. I am but an old woman, you see. My tired bones are aching." God, she hated this act. Having to pass off as some old woman when she was actually in her early 20's. That relic had stripped everything away from her and she had to play into it as if she really was what the relic wanted from her. And then there was this guy, demanding to know what she was doing here and why she was alone. She stared back into his eyes. She might look old now, with her youth and vitality stripped away from her, but she definitely still had a spark. It was perhaps the only thing keeping her alive now despite everything working against her. She narrowed her eyes as she stared Brent down, trying to ignite that spark again.

"Don't ask such things. I am here because I have important things to do. If you're lucky, you will find out on your own time. The fact that you haven't recognized me means you have no idea about what happened, and recounting the tale makes me ill." She said, before pulling out a map and looking at it. There was an inn nearby, good. She would have to check in soon so she could take a rest.



Alexi crossed her arms. "I wasn't planning on it." She muttered. Having lost interest in Eclipse for the time being, she turned back to Matthew. "I'll only give you a feather from my wing if you promise to never touch or ask for a lock of my hair ever again." She said. "I mean it! I need to keep it this way for a purpose, and I can't cut it, ok?" She said, bringing her wing closer so she could pull a feather off. "So promise me." She said.

"Wot mask...?" The Doctor replied. Then he also noticed the Deku. He was, or the most part, intrigued. 

Deku seemed confused by the two people towering over him. There was a small fairy with him who seemed to hide as soon as she saw the Happy Mask Salesman.

Brent softened his stare.  “I see.  I’m sorry for asking that.  It’s just that I’ve met a lot of different people on my travels.  Some of which aren’t who they seem to be.  I apologize.”

When the woman said that he hasn’t recognized her made the priest even more confused.  Wait, is he supposed to recognize her?  Is she saying that they’ve met or saw each other before somewhere?  Brent decided against asking her.  He didn’t want to irritate the woman further.

--

Matthew nodded his head.  “I promise I won’t do anything of the sort ever again.”  He held up his hand.  “You have my word.”

Eclipse just glared at Matthew, her tail flicked in irritation.

It was good that Brent backed off. She definitely didn't want to get worked up. "It's fine...You didn't know. All in due time, father, all in due time." Her message was cryptic but for a reason, considering how she hadn't been recognized by a single person since she got here meant that nobody knew about the relic incident. Yet, somehow, the damned thing came here. She sighed and stood up, her body aching with each movement. "Now if you will excuse me, I require some rest." She started walking away, in the direction of the inn.



"Good. I'm holding you to your word! Don't make me regret it." Alexi said before gingerly plucking a feather out of her wing. She handed it to Matthew. "Take good care of that feather. It's very special." She smiled.

As Tatl cowered behind Link, the Happy Mask Salesman's attention seemed to have drifted away from the Doctor and onto the child. An intriguing grin growing on his face as he bent over to be at face level with the Deku and chuckled. "You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" The man looked Link over as he seemed to have recognized him even as a deku. He rubbed his hands together in a fidget, beginning to explaining the situation like the intro to a video game... heheh, get it.

((Obligatory copypasta go!))
"I own the Happy Mask Shop, I'm sure you remember it. And yes, I travel far and wide in search of masks… During my travels, a very important mask was stolen from me by an imp in the woods. So here I am at a loss… and now I've found you... and... you've seemed to have shown up through means of... time travel?" He said to the Doctor, his head seemingly turning like an owl to face him.

His attention returned to Link. "Now don't think me rude, but I have been following you. …For I know of a way to return you to your former self. If you can get back the precious item that was stolen from you, I will return you to normal. In exchange… All I ask is that you two also get back my precious mask that the imp stole from me." 

He stood there a bit in silence, now rubbing his chin and a little perplexed. He did not give Link a chance to respond. "....What? Is it not a simple task? Why, to someone like you, it should by no means be a difficult task. Except… the one thing is…. I'm a very busy fellow. And I must leave this place in three days. How grateful I would be if you could bring it back to me before my time here is up… but yes. You'll be fine. I see you are young and have tremendous courage. And you travel all the time. I'm sure you must go and lots of adventures. I'm sure you'll find it right away."

"Well then, I am counting on you..." The Happy Mask Salesman gave several bows to Link and the Doctor, still worried sick about the fate that would befall should there be any failure. All was quiet now that the salesman had spoke except the grinding gears of the tower, ticking time away. How ironic for the three of them to taking place inside of Clock Tower of all places?

"Sorry, I'm kinda new to this... can you show us around?" The Doctor asked. "You know... since you seem to know your way around?"

The salesman only kept his hands clasped together as he turned his head to face the Doctor. His nose still hurt like a b*Navi*h.

"....Oh, you have the child with you. He will show you the way. Be courageous, and have faith... Have faith... Have faith..."

"I also don't know what this mask looks like, so I'm gonna need someone to help me out there."

Link looked around confused. Who was this guy? And what was going on outside the tower?

"Hm... you'll know when you see it... You'll be able to feel it. Feel its evil.. it's presence... I know you can do it.. I know you can. Just have faith..."

He was getting even more fidgety now.

"Well if it's evil and you can feel it, then you're coming along!" The Doctor snatched The Happy Mask Salesman's hand and picked up Deku Link and lead them out of the Clock Tower.

"Yes, it's important that it's returned to meEEEE!!!"

The Happy Mask Salesman flailed his arms as he was being dragged from inside the Clock Tower, sweating from so much stress. He didn't even notice the small group outside of the tower. "WAIT! WAIT STOP STOP STOP! AAAAHH!!!"